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Guys, it's hella hot outside!

HOPEFULLY, you've been getting your asses out of work and heading to the beach or some body of water to cool down! Everyone wants to come back from their weekend escapades with a stellar tan, crazy stories, and a relaxed mind set. There are some products you should use pre, during and post your summer shenanigans to make sure you have good-clean-fun!

Let's start at the bottom, shall we?
If you're like most of my guy friends, your feet probably look like the Crypt Keeper's, (Go ahead- look him up f you don't know who that is) which means your little piggies are in desperate need of a some TLC. Hop in the shower, lather up your feet with soap and use a pumice stone to get rid of nasty dry spots. Moisturize your feet and then goop those bad boys up Kiehl's Cross Terrain "Dry Run" Foot Cream. It'll protect your feet when you run around doing whatever you are doing. File and cut your nails, the whole bit.

Next, your bod-ay. You need to be smart when you're going to be in the sun for a long period of time. Protect your skin. Excessive freckles and wrinkles are not fun, so maybe you should avoid them by using Jack Black Sun Guard Sunscreen SPF 45 Oil-Free & VERY Water Resistant. Seriously your body is a temple, take care of it. Also check out Lab Series Power Protector SPF 50.

FUN FACET: Applying sunscreen just once will not help you. Depending on the SPF is how frequently you should reapply your sun tan lotion. SPF 30, every 30 minutes, SPF 45, every 45 minutes, I think you get it. However, anything above SPF 60, should still be reapplied every hour.

So we need to talk face protection. Obviously a baseball cap covers most of your face, but you should also use a good facial sunblock. Guys often forget to cover up their ears and end up with sunburnt and crusty ears, (which by the way... is disgusting). Use Kiehl's Facial Fuel UV Guard SPF 50+ ALL OVER!  Entire face, nose, lips, neck, back of neck, ears- for real! DO IT!

No matter what soap you use, sunblock has a tendency to get stuck in your pores. Clogged pores = breakouts. Using a mild exfoliant will not rub your tan away, (I promise) it will clean out your pores so you will be even more radiant than you already are. Try Baxter of California Facial Scrub.

Finally, if you do happen to get a sunburn, use Decléor's Aromessence Repairing After-Sun Balm. I swear to you, I live by this stuff. I absolutely love this healing balm! Scoop a little out, cup the balm in your palms to warm it up and then rub it around in your hands. When the balm is soft enough apply it to your burns. It's a great product and will last you quite some time.

You get the point, take care of yourselves. Despite what you think, girls will notice if you show your skin some love. You won't look like a pussy for applying sun block. You'll actually feel a lot smarter than the guy who is so burnt, it's painful to look at. He will be the red idiot in every photo you guys take. So help a brother out, and tell him to cover up before he drunkenly passes out in the sun.

Summer Jamz

Ellie Goulding, Burn

Azelia Banks, 212

Marina and The Diamonds, Shampain

Tegan and Sara, Closer

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ERRRRBODY'S GOIN SURFIN'

I recently became interested in swimwear. Guys are no longer wearing the knee-length swimsuits their moms bought them when they were younger but going back to the original surfing roots. Guys are getting a little sexy and raising their hem lines back up. Sometimes a bit too short! There's the fear that something is going to pop out! But I guess that's the excitement in rocking those lil' shorts.

I did some investigating and found an array of brands that have ventured into swimwear land.

MNii
My favorite thing about MNii is that this California based board short company originated from Hawaii! All of their shorts range from $125 - $165 and come in a bunch of colors, prints and I do believe I saw some color blocking in there.

MNii explains their shorts are, "not just a pair of board shorts, but a memento, a badge of honor."

Mollusk
Mollusk's site opens to a trippy video of what appears to be surf culture from around the world, backed by the song 'Pink Elephants On Parade' from the Disney Movie, Dumbo. At first I was kind of put off by this film, but then I began to navigate the website and I totally got it. Their pieces are an homage to surfers throughout the ages. I really liked their printed Cactai board shorts and their Katin Deliver board short in peach and blue. Mollusk's shorts have a slimmer leg that I think it looks really flattering. ($54 - $84)

"Over the years Mollusk has developed into a cultural institution that integrates surfing, art, craft, music, film, and visual media. We sell products handmade by friends and neighbors, host art shows in our intimate galleries, and function as a concert venue. Our storefronts in San Francisco and Venice Beach have become hangouts and homes for surfers and artists living in these urban, beachside communities. Beach bums unite."

Saturdays Surf NYC
Saturdays Surf seems to be the current brand taking New York City by storm. It's a surf shop based in the West Village of the Big Apple. They sell literally everything: apparel, wetsuits, surf boards, art, hair products and even coffee. You know how much New Yorkers love coffee!  The brand was founded in 2009 by Colin Tunstall, Josh Rosen and Morgan Collet. It specifically caters to all things any NY surfer dude would need to escape this crazy city and catch some waves. Their shorts are indeed short, but they are well made and super stylish. Board shorts are $65 - $75 and come in dozens of colors, prints, patterns and solids.

Onia
(Pronounced O-nee-a) This brand is just so fancy. Their shorts are made from the most amazing fabrics and the hardware that makes up the shorts, (metal snap, buttons, eyelets) are industrial pieces from Japan. The shorts are tasteful and well constructed. You have to check out their website, I really liked the feature where they show you all the elements that make up each of their shorts. Great brand, cool shorts, a little pricey, but totally worth it. ($120 - $195)

"At Onia nothing is overlooked in our pursuit to produce the finest swim shorts and beachwear possible. With a highly intricate and multi-phased production process we strive to provide options for the man lost in beachwear purgatory. We use only the most skilled and innovative designers, source only the highest quality fabrics and finishings, and use factories that are on the cutting edge of manufacturing technology."

I wanted to give it a go and hop on the surfing bandwagon! No, I don't know how to surf, BUT I do know how to make clothes! So I made a pair of board shorts! They are printed with planets which is kind of silly, but they were so fun to make! Check them out!

Now go sign up at your local Cross Fit, get that summer beach bod and buy yourself an awesome pair of board shorts!

SUMMER JAMZ
Floating Vibes, Surfer Blood

High School Lover, Cayucas

Get Lucky, Daft Punk ft. Pharrell

Pompeii, Bastille

Sweater Weather, The Neighbourhood

COWABUNGA DUDES!